The Town of New Castle has a unique approach. They do not require a HERS Rating, but they do require a rater-like Building Science technician to inspect construction and fill out their checklist…
2021 Energy Code Building Inspector Checklist
2023 Colorado Model Electrical and Solar Ready Codes
https://www.newcastlecolorado.org/media/3591
Please give us a call and we can help navigate the process in the most cost-effective way. And optimize your construction for performance.
Garfield County has adopted the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
The 2018 version of the IECC features minor changes in insulation values and requires a blower door test to be performed on all new homes to check air-sealing.
Occupant ventilation enforced.
Duct leakage testing enforced if any part of the duct system leaves the thermal envelope.
GarCo will be using the 2021 IECC for multi-family projects; including the provision that lets units under 1500 square feet test for infiltration under the easier surface area metric.
Please give us a call and we can help navigate the process in the most cost-effective way. And optimize your construction for performance.
On June 6, 2022, the City will require building permits to use the 2021 editions of the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Existing Building Code and International Energy Conservation Code.
Please give us a call and we can help navigate the process in the most cost-effective way. And optimize your construction for performance.
Aspen’s adoption of the 2021 I-codes is heavily modified. This article looks only at the energy conservation parts of the adoption. And this is just a summary of the most perennate changes that may influence design.
Link here to the actual adoption documents…
What if a project needs to break with the Prescriptive path? For instance, how can a house go about complying with more than 30% glazing? The project would be forced to try and comply by using either the Performance Path or the ERI (Energy Rating Index) Path.
Minimum Performance goal would be… 2021 Building UA +23% & 72% of Energy costs
Minimum ERI goal would be… 2021 Building UA +15 % & ERI 50.35 – PV
Both of these goals would have to be achieved without help from PV solar.
Please give us a call and we can help navigate the process in the most cost-effective way. And optimize your construction for performance.
The Town of Basalt, Climate Zone 6, is currently on the 2021 IECC (International Energy Conservation Code).
Link to Town Building Department website…
The 2022 SBR Amendment took effect on October 20th, 2022.
The full SBR Ordinance can be found here:
SBR 2022 Amendment_Section 18-23 Ordinance
SBR 2022 Amendment and Beneficial Electrification Requirements
Require buildings to be energy efficient, electric-ready, install renewables and provide energy storage area in order to meet the Town of Basalt’s climate goals.
Exceptions:
Exceptions:
Exemptions:
Exception:
Basalt has a REMP (Renewable Energy Mitigation Program) that engages anytime exterior uses of energy are used like; snowmelt, pools spas and garages. REMP fees are offset by renewable energy production, fee-in-lieu, or a combination of the two.
Link to SBR adoption language…
Points are determined under one of four compliance paths; prescriptive, performance, Net Zero Energy Ready or LEED for Homes.
Most likely will require at least a COMcheck report for permit application submittal.
Please give us a call and we can help navigate the process in the most cost-effective way. And optimize your construction for performance.
Starting sometime in 2023…
2018 ERI 61-PV or 56+PV
A maximum design score of 61 without including offsetting means through onsite renewable energy.
OR
A maximum design score of 56 that includes offsetting means through onsite renewable energy.
https://www.sanmiguelcountyco.gov/157/Building
CHAPTER 11 ENERGY EFFICIENCY
N1101.13 (R401.2) Compliance. Amend Section to read: Projects shall comply with one of the following:
1. Sections N1101.14 through N1104.
2. Section N1105 and the provisions of Sections N1101.14 through N1104 indicated as “Mandatory.”
3. The energy rating index (ERI) approach in Section N1106. Projects shall provide a preliminary design in
which one of the two are modeled:
• A maximum design score of 61 without including offsetting means through onsite renewable energy.
• A maximum design score of 56 that includes offsetting means through onsite renewable energy.
N1101.13.1 (R401.2.1) Required ERI approach. All of the following are required to comply with N1101.13, item
3. Floor area calculations for purposes of this section shall be defined as the floor area within the
inside perimeter of the exterior walls of the building under consideration, exclusive of vent shafts
and courts, without deduction for corridors, stairways, ramps, closets, the thickness of interior walls,
columns or other features, attached garages, and crawlspaces 6 feet 4 inches in height or greater,
measured from grade/floor to bottom of joist/floor assembly above:
1. New single‐family dwellings whose floor area is 3,600 square feet or greater.
2. New two‐family dwellings whose aggregate floor area is 4,000 square feet or greater.
3. New townhomes.
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N1101.15 (R401.4) Renewable Energy Mitigation Program (Mandatory). Add Section N1101.15 (R401.4) to read: San
Miguel County’s Renewable Energy Mitigation Program (REMP) is designed to help offset the effects of outdoor
energy consumption that contribute to the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. The provisions of REMP shall be
applied as follows:
N1101.15.1 (R401.4.1) Scope. Energy used to power hydronic snowmelt systems, factory‐built and site‐built
spas located on the exterior, pools located on the exterior, and heated garages for all new residences,
accessory structures, commercial facilities, alterations, and additions shall be mitigated through REMP
and shall comply with N1101.15.1 through.
N1101.15.1.1 (R401.4.1.1) Snowmelt. All snowmelt anywhere on the property shall be offset by REMP.
All snow melt systems shall be equipped with both moisture and temperature sensors to control
operation per the IECC and IRC. Hydronic snow melt systems shall have a minimum of R‐15
insulation on the non‐snow melt side.
Exceptions:
1. Single-family development: 200 square feet of exempt hydronic snow melt shall be
allowed without mitigation located only on the main drive and/or code required exit
walkways, decks, stairs and landings.
2. Multi-family, mixed use, accessory use, and commercial development: 100 square feet
plus 25 square feet per dwelling unit of exempt hydronic snow melt shall be allowed
without mitigation located only on the main drive(s) decks, amenity areas and/or code
required exit walkways, stairs and landings.
3. Two-family residences and townhomes: 50 square foot of exempt per dwelling unit
hydronic snowmelt shall be allowed without mitigation located only on the main drive
and/or code required exit walkways, decks stairs and landings.
Definition of Exempt Snow-Melt Area: Tubing installed to melt snow on a surface
intended to remove snow from the walkable or drivable area shall be measured by the
size of the entire potentially snow‐melted area. For example, if a 10 ft. x 20 ft. deck only
has perimeter snow melt tubing, the entire area shall be counted toward the snow melt
exemption.
N1101.15.1.2 (R401.4.1.2) Spas. All spas located on the exterior of a building shall be offset by REMP.
Exterior heated spas must comply with the currently adopted Energy Codes.
N1101.15.1.3 (R401.4.1.3) Exterior Pools. All pools located on the exterior of a building shall be offset
by REMP. Exterior heated swimming pools must comply with the currently adopted Energy
Codes.
N1101.15.1.4 (R401.4.1.4) Heated Garages. All heated garages shall be offset by REMP. Heated garages
must comply with the currently adopted Energy Codes. All heated exterior garage portal doors
shall have a minimum R‐value of R‐18. The blower door test required as per IRC Section
N1102.4.1.2 and IECC Section R402.4.1.2 shall apply only to the homes habitable space and the
air sealing for the garage shall be visually inspected.
N1101.15.2 (R401.4.2) Energy Use Calculation. The total exterior energy use that must be mitigated with
renewable energy or payment made as a payment in‐lieu as allowed in these regulations will be
calculated by the owner/agent and verified by the County Building Official using the San Miguel County
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REMP Worksheet (“Worksheet”). The Worksheet is attached at end of IRC amendments as Appendix Z
and a fillable version can also be found at www.sanmiguelcountyco.gov/building. The Worksheet
calculations were developed using the standard amount of energy used by the exterior systems and
adjusted for local climatic conditions as calculated by Resource Engineering Group (2013). The
Worksheet will be updated regularly according to market fluctuations and may be amended by
resolution.
N1101.15.2.1 (R401.4.2.1) Renewable Energy Credit Calculation. Mitigation of outdoor energy use may
be achieved by onsite renewable energy systems approved by the Building Official. The payment
in lieu shall be calculated using the Worksheet.
N1101.15.2.1.1 (R401.4.2.1.1) Alternative technology. As new technology or other offsite
renewable energy projects develop, they may also be considered as approved mitigation
systems by the Building Official.
N1101.15.2.1.2 (R401.4.2.1.2) Combination of measures. If the amount of renewable energy
capable of being produced onsite by one system is not sufficient to mitigate exterior
energy use as outlined, a combination of renewable energy methods may be used as
approved by the Building Official.
N1101.15.2.2 (R401.4.2.2) Payment in-lieu. If preferred by the property owner, the owner may make a
one‐time payment to San Miguel County in‐lieu of providing onsite mitigation by a County
approved renewable energy system. San Miguel County may also accept partial payment in lieu
from the affected property owner when only partial onsite mitigation of exterior energy use
occurs. The owner shall make payment prior to receiving the building permit. The payment in‐
lieu shall be calculated using the Worksheet.
N1101.15.2.2.1 (R401.4.2.2.1) Appropriation of Funds. All REMP payments in lieu received by
the County shall be deposited into a separate fund called the “San Miguel County Energy
Fund” (Fund). All monies deposited into such Fund shall be used solely within San
Miguel County for the purposes of:
1. funding capital expenses associated with purchase, installation, and/or construction
of renewable energy or energy conservation facilities;
2. and/or funding projects that help to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
The Board of County Commissioners shall approve expenditures from the Fund after
receiving recommendations from the County staff and the County Manager.
N1101.15.3 (R401.4.3) Approved Renewable Energy Systems. All renewable energy systems proposed as a
means of exterior energy use mitigation must be approved in advance by the Building Official. An
engineering analysis may be required for calculating the renewable energy mitigation credit produced
by an onsite or offsite system. Review of the system by a County engineering consultant, if needed, will
be at the expense of the owner.
N1101.15.3.1 (R401.4.3.1) Perpetuity of onsite mitigation. Onsite renewable energy systems provided
to mitigate exterior energy are required to be maintained and operated for the lifetime of the
structure, through a written agreement with the property owner and a covenant on the
property.
N1101.15.3.2 (R401.4.3.2) Off-site Mitigation. Off‐site renewable mitigation shall only be approved by
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the Building Official if, through a written agreement:
1. the system is legally tied to the property using exterior energy use with the inability to
transfer to another property;
2. the County, at any time, can verify through audits that the offsite renewable energy
system continues to provide renewable energy as provided for herein, with no
restrictions on the County’s ability to accessrenewable energy utility information.
N1102.1 (R402.1) General (Prescriptive). Amend “Exceptions” Item 2 as follows:
Exceptions:
2. Log homes designed in accordance with ICC-400 with glazing to floor area ratio of 18% or less and
passing air leakage test demonstrating 3ACH 50 or less.
N1103.9 (R403.9) Snow melt system controls (Mandatory). Amend Section to read: Snow‐ and ice‐melting systems,
supplied through energy service to the building, shall include automatic controls capable of shutting off the
system when precipitation is not falling, and an automatic control that will allow shutoff when the outdoor
temperature is greater than 40°F (4.8°C).
N1103.13 (R403.13) Outdoor heating equipment (Mandatory). Add Section to read: All outdoor space heating
equipment supplied through energy service to the building such as, but not limited to, fire pits, heaters,
fireplaces, etc., shall be equipped with 60‐minute automatic shutoff timers.
N1106.3 (R406.3) Energy rating index. Amend Section to read: The Energy Rating Index (ERI) shall be
determined in accordance with RESNET/ICC 301. [STRIKE ERI reference design ventilation rate Equation
11-1].
N1106.4 (R406.4) ERI-based compliance. Compliance based on an ERI analysis requires that the rated design be
shown to have an ERI less than or equal to the appropriate value indicated in Table N1106.4 when
compared to the ERI reference design.
TABLE N1106.4 (R406.4) MAXIMUM ENERGY RATING INDEX. Amend Table as follows:
TABLE N1106.4 (R406.4) MAXIMUM ENERGY RATING INDEX
CLIMATE ZONE ENERGY RATING INDEXa
6 61 without onsite renewable energy in model;
56 with onsite renewable energy in model
[STRIKE footnote a]
N1107.2 (R501.2) Existing buildings. Except as specified in this chapter or by other locally enforced law, ordinance,
resolution, or code, this code shall not be used to require the removal, alteration or abandonment of, nor prevent
the continued use and maintenance of, an existing building or building system lawfully in existence at the time of
adoption of this code.
Link to Colorado Energy Conservation Code Hub for; Aspen, Basalt, Carbondale, Eagle County, Pitkin County, Town of Snowmass Village and the Town of Mountain Village
Town of Snowmass Village Community Development website here…
2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and REOP adoption…
Ordinance No. 2 2011 adoption…
| Town of Snowmass Village | CFA | Maximum |
| Tier I | 1000-3000 | HERS 75 |
| Tier II | 3001-5000 | HERS 70 |
| Tier III | 5001-10000 | HERS 65 |
| Tier IV | 10000+ | HERS 60 |
Link to Colorado Energy Conservation Code Hub for; Aspen, Basalt, Carbondale, Eagle County, Pitkin County, Town of Telluride and the Town of Mountain Village
As of May 16th 2024…
2021 International Energy Conservation Code
Special provisions for exterior energy use.
Permit fee discounts available for nonexistent or offset exterior energy uses.
Link to Town website and adoption language…
| CFA | TOMV | yes snowmelt | no snowmelt |
| < 3600 | Tier I | prescriptive | prescriptive |
| 3601-7000 | Tier II | 2021 HERS 60 | 2021 HERS 60 |
| 7001-13000 | Tier III | 2021 HERS 55 | 2021 HERS 60 |
| 13001+ | Tier IV | 2021 HERS 50 | 2021 HERS 60 |
As a policy we are allowing for mechanical rooms, and unconditioned garages to be exempted from habitable HERS calculations with the following criteria;
As you are aware, our CDC and the 2018 IECC do not specifically provide for the installation of PV systems to offset HERS ratings in a residential application. The allowance above will hopefully provide for an easier time of meeting the HERS requirements of the Town, and meets prescriptive requirements. In the future, if one of your raters can provide additional information to review that will support the PV to HERS tradeoff, we are available to review.
Thank you and please contact me with any questions
Lars Forsythe
Building Inspector
Building Department
Town of Mountain Village
455 Mountain Village Blvd, Suite A
Mountain Village, CO 81435
O :: 970.369.8246
C :: 970.729.3439
Performance HERS changes
Currently the Mountain Village Building Regulations has adopted the 2018 energy code. Per (section 17.7.12.7.i.D) renewable energy sources can be used to lower the HERS score if the Smart Build Program is utilized. Buildings designed with a HERS rating below 50 is the starting threshold to allow the renewable offset. It has come to my attention that RESNET/ICC 301 allows for renewable energy sources to be used to lower the HERS score. In keeping with our commitment to support renewable energy the Mountain Village Building Department has reviewed this document and will allow renewable energy to aid in lowering the HERS score. Effective immediately the Mountain Village Building Department will allow all new residential projects to utilize renewable energy sources to lower the HERS score providing:
(1) All 2018 IECC Residential Mandatory requirements in chapter 4 are utilized.
(2) Depending on the type of construction the minimum requirements of 2018 IECC Tables 402.1.2, 402.1.4 and 402.2.6 are followed prior to the addition of the renewable energy source to assist in the HERS score.
(3) Building Regulations section (17.7.12.D. V.I. A), the onsite renewable energy system will be required to be maintained and operational for the lifetime of the property, through a written agreement with the property owner and a covenant on the property.
Inspection Changes as follows:
The Mountain Village Building Department will require the Performance Rater to perform all the insulation inspections. The Performance Rater will be required to sign off on the pre-drywall inspection prior to drywall being installed as well as any partial inspections. An acceptance email must be sent to the building department for all inspections as well as the final acceptance certificate prior to CO being issued. The Building Department will provide a red line stamp on the reviewed plans stating (3rd party insulation inspection required) to help the contractor be aware of this requirement. The following emails may be utilized for the acceptance reports: larsforsythe@mtnvillage.org and dharrington@mtnvillage.org.
Sincerely Drew Harrington
Chief Building Official
970- 708-7537
970- 369-8251
Link to Colorado Energy Conservation Code Hub for; Aspen, Basalt, Carbondale, Eagle County, Pitkin County, Town of Snowmass Village and the Town of Mountain Village
Link to adoption language, Article 9…
effective February 18, 2020
c) Residential Energy.
(1) Amend Section R401.2 “Compliance” to read:
All new buildings and any building having an addition of 1000 square feet or greater shall comply with Section R406. All other buildings shall comply with one of the following:
The remainder of the section remains unchanged.
R402.2.14 Exterior Walls. Recess step lights are not permitted in exterior building walls except where the required R-value is met for the wall assembly.
(3) Add a sentence to Section R402.4.5 to read:
Recessed can lights are allowed in ceiling-roof assemblies only if the required R-value of insulation can be met between the top of the fixture and the roof decking material.
(4) Amend Table R402.4.1.1 by adding to the Insulation Installation Criteria for the Walls Component:
Wood or Engineered Headers-R-10 wherever possible.
Steel Header – R-10 with insulation provided on both the exterior and/or the interior sides of the steel if possible, to maintain a continuous thermal barrier.
(5) Amend Section R403.5.3 to read:
R403.5.3 Hot water pipe insulation (Mandatory). Insulation for hot water piping with a thermal resistance, R-value, of not less than R-3 shall be applied to the following:
Items 1 through 7 remain unchanged.
8. Hot water line piping shall not be placed in an exterior wall to the extent practical. When not practical as determined by the Building Official, hot water piping may be placed in an exterior wall provided the required insulation R-value of the wall is provided in between the piping and the exterior of the wall.
9. An insulating blanket shall be provided that covers entire water tank fastened with appropriate tape.
(6) Add a last sentence to Section R403.7 to read:
Systems shall be designed by a certified Mechanical Engineer for single family residential structures greater than 2,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area including the basement area.
(7) Amend Section R406.1 to add to the following as the last sentence:
ERI refers to the ERI Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score.
(d) Additional Requirements for Residential and Commercial Buildings.
(5) Pools and Spas (Hot Tubs).
(11) Renewable Energy.One hundred percent (100%) of the building’s electricity use must be provided for with renewable energy, either produced on site or purchased through a Green Power Production Program. Creative alternative options will be considered by the Building Department. (Ord. 1502 §1, 2020)
One stop for energy code information on the multiple jurisdictions of the Roaring Fork Valley, Telluride and Mountain Village.
I will try to keep this list current.
Jump to Aspen Colorado’s energy conservation code compliance page…
Jump to City of Glenwood Springs, Colorado’s energy conservation code compliance page…
Jump to Eagle County Colorado’s energy conservation code compliance page…
Jump to Garfield County Colorado’s energy conservation code compliance page…
Jump to Pitkin County’s energy conservation code compliance page…
Jump to Basalt Colorado’s energy conservation code compliance page…
Jump to Carbondale Colorado’s energy conservation code compliance page…
Jump to TOMV energy code compliance page…
Jump to TONC energy code compliance page…
Jump to TOSV’s energy conservation code compliance page…
Jump to Town of Telluride Colorado’s energy conservation code compliance page…
Jump to San Miguel County’s energy code compliance page…